Crain's Grand Rapids Business

Gerald R. Ford International Airport officials are purusing plans to add the facility’s first on-site hotel as part of ongoing expansion projects to match the airport’s growth, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business has learned. Executives disclosed this week that they want to include an on-site hotel near the airport’s main terminal that ties in to a broader $600 million expansion plan known as Elevate. A hotel developer and brand have not yet been identified. “As we continue to listen to the needs of our community and its plans for growth, we have identified an opportunity to develop a hotel near the terminal building that would serve passengers traveling to and from West Michigan,” airport President and CEO Tory Richardson said in an emailed statement to Crain’s. “This initiative will further support the economic prosperity of our region by fueling business and tourism efforts.” Building an on-site hotel would first require the completion of a plan currently in motion to relocate the federally owned and operated air traffic tower that’s located on top of the airport terminal. Any new expansions can’t block the tower’s line of sight to the airfield. The construction of a hotel is “very dependent on that air traffic control tower moving because the hotel would be tall enough that it would block that line of sight for the airfield,” said Haley Abbas, the airport’s marketing and communications manager. “The goal is that it will happen. It’s just the tower project really has to happen first. So it’s kind of almost a little bit of a domino effect here.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXzV7gva

The 22 honorees on Crain's Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders treat board service as their second job, applying their professional skills to boost their chosen organization’s profile, finances and outreach. Congratulations to the honorees: JC Anderson - LAKESHORE EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION Matthew Becker - John Ball Zoo Kari Bliss - Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Elizabeth Bovard Strong - Construction Allies in Action Dr. Veneese V. Chandler - The Salvation Army in Kent County Katie Chapman - Michigan Sustainable Business Forum Lisa Cooper, PHR, SHRM-CP - North Kent Connect Bob Copping - SHOUT FOR SOUTH HAVEN INC David Hathaway - The Salvation Army in Kent County Shelley Irwin - Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Missy Jackson - AYA Youth Collective Catherine Jacobs - Senior Neighbors Ashley Landis - Creston Neighborhood Association Candace Matthews - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Rachel Mraz - Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, John Ball Zoo, Davenport University Foundation, Davenport University, Economic Club of Grand Rapids and the Eileen DeVries Family Foundation Tony Roussey LEED AP - West Michigan Construction Institute Sue (Schweim) Tellier - Women in Defense (WID) Michigan Chapter michael sytsma - Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation, John Ball Zoo and Covenant House of Michigan John Teeples - Emmanuel Hospice Steve Tibbe - Fans of Valley Field Ashley Ward - Wedgwood Christian Services Cameron Young - ICCF Community Homes

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